Asymmetric induction in the conjugate addition of thioacetic acid to methacrylamides with chiral auxiliaries

The conjugate addition of thioacetic acid to methacrylamides with chiral C₂-symmetric trans-2,5-disubstituted pyrrolidines afforded the addition products in excellent stereoselectivities (>99% de) and good yields (80–90%). The high selectivity was attributed mainly to the steric effect of the chiral auxiliaries. The cyclic nature of the chiral auxiliaries seemed also important for both the stereoselectivity and the reaction rate. Acidic hydrolysis of the adduct containing (2R,5R)-bis(methoxymethyl)pyrrolidine gave (S)-3-mercapto-2-methylpropanoic acid, a key intermediate for captopril, in 98% ee and 96% yield. The chiral auxiliary was recovered in the demethylated form of N-Boc-(2R,3R)-bis(hydroxymethyl)pyrrolidine in 90% yield.     

Synthesis of chiral 3-substituted-3-aminomethyl-pyrrolidines and related compounds

The preparation of a series of chiral 3-methyl-3-substituted-pyrrolidines/pyrrolidinones starting from (R)-4-(methoxycarbonyl)-1-(1R-phenethyl)-2-pyrrolidinone ( 1 ) is described. The chiral α-methylbenzyl functionality serves not only as a nitrogen protecting group for the pyrrolidine nitrogen, but also as a chiral auxillary. The synthesis of the 4-position enantiomers was accomplished by converting the ester of 1 to the ketone, protecting the ketone as the benzyloxime and separation by chromatography. These key intermediates were converted to the (R) and (S)-3-methyl-3-aminomethylpyrrolidines by removal of the benzyl group followed by oxidation. The 3-methyl-3-(1-aminoethyl)pyrrolidines were obtained via a two step reduction of the corresponding oximes. The stereochemical assignments were determined by X-ray crystallography.     

Asymmetric syntheses of dihydroxyhomoprolines via doubly diastereoselective lithium amide conjugate addition reactions

The asymmetric syntheses of novel dihydroxyhomoprolines have been achieved using the doubly diastereoselective conjugate additions of the antipodes of lithium N-benzyl-N-(α-methylbenzyl)amide to a set of four chiral α,β-unsaturated esters (derived from d-pentoses) as one of the key steps. A full account of the diastereoselectivity observed in these conjugate additions is presented and the stereochemical outcomes of these reactions have been established unambiguously via a combination of hydrogenolytic chemical correlation and single crystal X-ray diffraction analyses. A tandem hydrogenolysis/intramolecular reductive amination reaction was then used to create the corresponding enantiopure pyrrolidines, providing access to (2′S,3′S,4′R)-dihydroxyhomoproline and (2′S,3′R,4′S)-dihydroxyhomoproline after deprotection.     

An easy access to (S)-pyrrolidinones and -pyrrolidines from chiral benzylic malonates

From chiral benzylic malonic acid esters (R)-(+)-4, available with high enantiomeric excesses by enzymatic hydrolysis (PLE acetonic powder), enantiomerically enriched pyrrolidinones 1 and pyrrolidines 2 were prepared. This rapid and competitive method was developed via enol ether formation, and subsequent one-pot cyclisation, in good overall yield.     

A short, simple and general approach for the synthesis of (3S,4S)-3-methoxy-4-methylamino pyrrolidine and (3S,4R)-3-methoxy-4-methylamino pyrrolidine

A general and efficient stereoselective approach for the synthesis of (3S,4S) and (3S,4R)-3-methoxy-4-methylamino pyrrolidines, a part of the structure of AG-7352, a naphthyridine antitumor agent and quinoline antibacterial compounds has been described.     

Convenient access to sterically hindered C2 chiral 2,2,5,5-tetraphenyltetrahydrofuran-3,4-diols: intramolecular selective 1,4-cyclocondensation of (2R,3R)- and (2S,3S)-1,1,4,4-tetraphenylbutanetetraols

Sterically hindered C₂ chiral (3R,4R)- and (3S,4S)-2,2,5,5-tetraphenyltetrahydrofuran-3,4-diols have been conveniently prepared in a very high yield via heterogeneous intramolecular selective 1,4-cyclocondensation of (2R,3R)- and (2S,3S)-1,1,4,4-tetraphenylbutanetetraol in concentrated hydrohalic acids, respectively. Preliminary examination of additives for the Barbas–List reaction showed that in certain cases, the hindered C₂ chiral tetrahydrofuran-3,4-diols were better chiral auxiliaries than enantiopure (R)- and (S)-1,1′-bi-2-naphthols.     

Cyclopropane intermediates in the synthesis of chiral alcohols with methyl-branched carbon skeleton. Application in the synthesis of insect pheromones

Several chiral building blocks, (2R)-2-methylundec-10-en-1-ol, (3R)-3-methylheptan-1-ol, and (4R)-4-methyloctan-1-ol, have been synthesized using cyclopropane intermediate products. It has been shown that the obtained chiral alcohols can be used in the synthesis of insect pheromones.     

1′-Azido- and 1′-amino-1,3-dioxolan-4-ones

1,3-Dioxolanone alcohols, prepared via the addition of chiral lithium enolates of 1,3-dioxolan-4-ones to aldehydes, are suitable intermediates for the synthesis of chiral trisubstituted isoserines or trisubstituted 3-hydroxy-β-lactams. In particular, the methyl ester of 2-methyl-3-(2-furyl)isoserinic acid and two 3-methyl-3-hydroxy-β-lactams bearing either a 2-furyl or a phenyl substituent at C-(4) have been prepared. The (2R,3S) stereochemistry of the isoserine, and the (3R,4S) stereochemistry of the two β-lactams is that required for the synthesis of taxoid analogues having the side-chain with the proper (2′R,3′S) configuration.     

Asymmetric synthesis of isoquinuclidines by Diels–Alder reaction of 1,2-dihydropyridine utilizing a chiral Lewis acid catalyst

The chiral isoquinuclidine derivative, 2-azabicyclo[2.2.2]octane ring system, endo-(7R)-3 was obtained in good yield with excellent diastereoselectivity (up to 92% de) by Diels–Alder reaction of 1-(phenoxycarbonyl)-1,2-dihydropyridine 1 with N-acryloyl-(4S)-4-benzyloxazolidin-2-one (4S)-2 using titanium-(2R,3R)-TADDOLate 4 as a chiral Lewis acid catalyst in toluene at 0 °C. On the other hand, endo-(7S)-3 was obtained in good yield with excellent diastereoselectivity (up to 97% de) by Diels–Alder reaction of 1 with (4R)-2 using Cu(OTf)₂/(4S,4′S)-bis(oxazoline) catalyst 8 as a chiral Lewis acid catalyst in dichloromethane at 0 °C. In these reactions, the choice of solvent and the combination of titanium-(2R,3R)-TADDOLate 4 {or Cu(II)/(4S,4′S)-bis(oxazoline) 8} and dienophile (4S)-2 {or (4R)-2} are very important. The stereochemistry of endo-(7R)-3 has been established to be (1R,4S,7R) and the reaction mechanism is proposed.     

Palladium-catalyzed asymmetric allylic alkylation of acyclic ketones for synthesis of 2,2-disubsituted pyrrolidine derivatives

Palladium-catalyzed asymmetric allylic alkylation of acyclic ketones represents a significant challenge in organic synthesis. We report herein that the synthesis of chiral 2,2-disubsituted pyrrolidines from acyclic ketones has been accomplished by using catalytic asymmetric method in the presence of Pd(dba)₂ and (R)-binap ligand. Theses reactions occur between allyl methyl carbonate and unstabilized acyclic lithium enolates to provide the products in moderate to good enantioselectivity (up to 81% ee).     

Synthesis of chiral 2-(anilinophenylmethyl)pyrrolidines and 2-(anilinodiphenylmethyl)pyrrolidine and their application to enantioselective borane reduction of prochiral ketones as chiral catalysts

Chiral diamines, 2-(anilinophenylmethyl)pyrrolidines and 2-(anilinodiphenylmethyl)pyrrolidine, were prepared from N-(tert-butoxycarbonyl)pyrrolidine or (S)-proline as a starting material, respectively. These chiral diamines were efficient for the catalytic enantioselective borane reduction of acetophenone. Using (S)-2-(anilinodiphenylmethyl)pyrrolidine, chiral secondary alcohols were obtained from prochiral ketones with good to excellent enantiomeric excesses (up to 98% ee).     

Further monoterpene chromane esters from Peperomia obtusifolia: VCD determination of the absolute configuration of a new diastereomeric mixture

A reinvestigation of the monoterpene chromane ester enriched fraction from Peperomia obtusifolia using chiral chromatography led to the identification of a minor peak, which was elucidated by NMR and HRMS as fenchyl-3,4-dihydro-5-hydroxy-2,7-dimethyl-8-(3″-methyl-2″-butenyl)-2-(4′-methyl-1′,3′-pentadienyl)-2H-1-benzopyran-6-carboxylate, the same structure assigned to two other fenchyl esters described previously, pointing out a stereoisomeric relationship among them. Further NMR analysis revealed that it was actually a mixture of two compounds, whose absolute configurations were determined by VCD measurements. Although, almost no vibrational transitions could be assigned to the chiral chromane, the experimental VCD spectrum was largely opposite to that obtained for the average experimental VCD [(2S,1?R,2?R,4?S + 2R,1?R,2?R,4?S)/2] for fenchol derivatives. These results allowed us to assign the putative compounds as a racemic mixture of the chiral chromane esterified with the monoterpene (1S,2S,4R)-fenchol, which had not been identified in our early work.     

1-Arylethylamino-substituted s-triazine derivatives as chiral solvating agents for the determination of the enantiomeric composition of chiral compounds

The development of 2-[(R)-1-(9-anthryl)ethylamino]-4-chloro-6-methoxy-1,3,5-triazine, 2-[(R)-1-(9-anthryl)ethylamino]-4-chloro-6-[(R)-1-(1-naphthyl)ethylamino]-1,3,5-triazine and 2-[(R)-1-(9-anthryl)ethylamino]-4,6-bis-[(R)-1-(1-naphthyl)ethylamino]-1,3,5-triazine as chiral solvating agents (CSAs) for the determination of the enantiomeric composition of derivatized and underivatized chiral compounds is presented. The comparison between the efficiency of these chiral auxiliaries with the corresponding 1-(1-naphthyl)ethylamino substituted s-triazine derivatives is also discussed.     

Highly diastereoselective alkylation of vicinal dianions of chiral succinic acid derivatives: a new general strategy to (R)-β-arylmethyl-γ-butyrolactones

The vicinal dianions derived from chiral succinic acid derivatives, 1,4-bis[(4R,5S)-3,4-dimethyl-2-oxo-5-phenylimidazolidin-1-yl]butane-1,4-dione and 1,4-bis[(4S,5R)-3,4-dimethyl-2-oxo-5-phenylimidazolidin-1-yl]butane-1,4-dione react with arylmethyl bromides with high diastereo- and regio-selectivity to provide the corresponding chiral α-arylmethylated succinic acid derivatives; the (R)-products are converted into (R)-β-arylmethyl-γ-butyrolactones and (R)-α-arylmethyl-γ-butyrolactones.     

Organometallische komplexverbindungen: VIII. Einfluss von achiralen substituenten auf die optische induktion bei der metallinduzierten synthese von 3-methyl-E-4-hexen-2-on

Bis(μ-methyl-1,3-dimethyl-η³-allylnickel) which has been modified by P ligands with a chiral substituent reacts with carbon monoxide under the formation of optically active 3-methyl-E-4-hexen-2-on. The investigated P ligands (PR^★R₂) have one chiral substituent (R^★ = 1R,3R,4S-(?)-menthyl) and the other substituents have been varied by taking the same alkyl or alkoxy groups (R = Me, Et, i-Pr, OMe, OEt, O-i-Pr). It has been found that the extent and the direction of optical induction depends on the concentration of the P-ligand and the kind of the achiral substituents at phosphorus.     

4-Amino-1-oxyl-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-3-carboxylic acid (β-TOAC), the first spin-labelled, cyclic, chiral β-amino acid resolved in an enantiomerically pure state

Amination of 3-carboxymethyl-1-oxyl-2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-4-piperidone with (R)-α-methylbenzylamine, NaBH₃CN reduction of the resulting enamine and removal of the chiral auxiliary from the separated diastereoisomers, led to enantiomerically pure (3S,4S) and (3R,4R) methyl 4-amino-1-oxyl-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-3-carboxylates.     

anti-Selective aldol reactions of chiral alcohol substituted γ-benzyloxyl vinylogous urethanes and the synthesis of 3-benzyloxyl-4-hydroxylalkan-2-ones

The anti-selective aldol reaction of chiral alcohol-substituted γ-benzyloxy vinylogous urethanes is described. The use of (1S,2R,4R)-1-(hydroxydiphenylmethyl)-7,7-dimethylbicyclo[2,2,1]-heptan-2-ol as a chiral auxiliary in the aldol reaction of a vinylogous urethane enolate was found to provide anti-products in good yields with moderate to excellent enantioselectivities. The major anti-vinylogous urethane lactones were transformed into 3-benzyloxyl-4-hydroxylalkan-2-ones in good yields.     

Synthetic studies toward the preparation of (4R,5R)-(−)-3-[(benzyloxy)methyl]-4,5-O-isopropylidene-cyclopenten-2-one: an important synthetic intermediate for carbanucleosides

The carbocyclic compound (4R,5R)-(−)-3-[(benzyloxy)methyl]-4,5-O-isopropylidene-2-cyclopentenone 1 is an important synthetic intermediate to access a variety of carbanucleosides. Herein, synthetic studies that lead to this valuable compound employing inexpensive d-ribose as the chiral source are presented.     

Synthesis of optically active 4,4,4-trifluoro-3-{4-(4-methoxyphenyl)phenyl}butanoic acid and its application to chiral dopant for nematic liquid crystals

We synthesized an optically active 4,4,4-trifluoro-3-{4-(4-methoxyphenyl)phenyl}butanoic acid (5^*). New chiral dopants for nematic liquid crystals were derived from (R)-(−)-5^*, and their helical twisting power (HTP) values were measured. Their HTP values were largely influenced by the linkage between the asymmetric frame and the core moiety. The chiral dopant, (R)-(+)-4,4,4-trifluoro-1-(4-hexyloxyphenyl)-3-{4-(4-methoxyphenyl)phenyl}-1-butanone ((R)-(+)-7^*) showed the largest HTP value (−21.7 μm⁻¹).     

Synthesis of both enantiomers of baclofen using (R)- and (S)-N-phenylpantolactam as chiral auxiliaries

Esterification of racemic 4-nitro-3-(4-chlorophenyl)butanoic acid with (R)- or (S)-N-phenylpantolactam as the chiral auxiliary allowed us to obtain the (3R,3′R)- or (3S,3′S)-nitro esters with >98:2 dr after column chromatography. Hydrolysis of the resulting diastereopure nitro esters gave the corresponding enantiopure nitro acids, which were readily converted in high yields into either (R)- or (S)-baclofen hydrochloride.